The COVID-19 situation in Kazakhstan is under control
The COVID-19 situation in Kazakhstan is under control
Despite some progress in certain regions of the world, global experience continues to show that the coronavirus crisis is a long way from being eliminated. New cases are soaring in many countries, perhaps most notably in the United States. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that the spread of the virus has not reached its peak in countries in Central and South America. A number of countries in Europe, including Spain and Germany, had to re-introduce quarantine measures.
The government of Kazakhstan has always stated that the country cannot become complacent. And, indeed, the country is currently going through a challenging period. At the same time, there has been some exaggeration of the situation in the country. For example, it was reported in the international media recently that Kazakhstan is one of the countries with the fastest growing rates of COVID-19. Unfortunately this caused some concern and misunderstanding both among the public and the media regarding the epidemiological situation in Kazakhstan.
It is indeed true that the number of cases have increased in Kazakhstan. At the same time, a number of points need to be considered. Firstly, since the beginning of July asymptomatic cases of COVID-19 were added to the general statistics of morbidity, thus significantly increasing the infection growth rate. Secondly, Kazakhstan has greatly increased the number of tests carried out. Over 1.6 million people have been tested so far. Currently, the country is carrying out almost 90,000 tests per one million population (almost 14,000 tests per day), which is more than France, Germany, Canada and many other countries. Kazakhstan at the moment ranks 19th in the world in terms of population testing. Naturally, this has increased the number of confirmed cases.
Due to these factors, there are just over 50,000 cases of COVID-19 currently registered in Kazakhstan, including just over 25,000 with symptoms, and over 23,000 asymptomatic. Approximately 1,400 new cases are registered per day, an increase of 3.0%. More than half have fully recovered, while over 23,000 patients continue to receive treatment. 260 people have died so far.
The rate of the spread of the virus in June was 1.3. There has been a decrease over the past week to 1.05. According to the Johns Hopkins University in the U.S., Kazakhstan ranks 35th globally in terms of the COVID-19 infection rate. The mortality rate in Kazakhstan is 0.5%. In comparison, it is 4.4% and 1.5% in the United States and Russia respectively. Furthermore, Kazakhstan ranks 54th in terms of the number of infected people per 1 million inhabitants, and 113th in terms of mortality.
Ultimately, these statistics demonstrate that thebroad epidemiological situation regarding the spread of the coronavirus in Kazakhstan is under control.As soon as cases began to surge in June, the Government took the necessary measures to combat the pandemic in a timely manner, including implementing a second quarantine. The results of the first lockdown from mid-March to mid-May demonstrated that quarantine measures are indeed effective. The number of confirmed cases remained low during that period. It is expected that two-week quarantine will also contribute to the stabilisation of the situation. In addition, three hospitals focusing on infectious diseases were built quickly in the cities of Nur-Sultan, Almaty and Shymkent. Clinics in other regions have been provided with the necessary equipment.
The two-week quarantine will last between July 5-19.
The measures restrict social and family gatherings limited to outdoor walking of three or less. The facilities including beauty and hair salons, all kind of indoor sport centers, beaches, water parks, culture and entertainment places, religious facilities, kindergartens and children health camps suspend their activities. As before, at least 80 percent of employees in public companies will continue working from home. The restrictions do not apply to construction and industrial plants with a continuous production cycle, open air agricultural and construction sites, as well as health centres, grocery stores and open air markets.
Summer patios, auto service and appliance maintenance are continuing working under enhanced sanitary and disinfection measures.
The international flights are operating within the previous list of countries, while domestic flights and train service are limited. City and intercity bus service is suspended for the period of quarantine.
As President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted recently, this crisis is a passing phenomenon, and the difficulties are temporary. Kazakhstan has the required medical and economic resources to win against the spread of the virus and return to normalcy.
Regarding the COVID-19 situation in Kazakhstan
The epidemiological situation related to coronavirus in Kazakhstan is under control. The Kazakhstan’s Government is takingall necessary measures on time to combat the epidemic.
First.There were some reportsin foreign media (The New York Times, The Telegraph, Express, France24, etc.)noticing that Kazakhstan has entered the list of states with the fastest rates of COVID-19 spread.
In addition, the publications mistakenly wrote about supposedly repeated introduction of a strictlockdown in Kazakhstan while in fact the country announced a two-week quarantine measures.
Such highlights led to a certain misunderstanding of the situation in Kazakhstan and, as a result, tothe exaggeration of epidemiological risks coming from the Republic of Kazakhstan in the media.
Second.Since the beginning of July this year, asymptomatic forms of COVID-19 in Kazakhstan have been added to the overall morbidity rate. As result the rate of infection growth has also increased significantly.
It is well known that both forms of the disease (as with symptoms, as asymptomatic)pose a potential danger to the wider public. Before July, the separate recording was carried out.
It is clear that change of record methodologyhas led to the fact that all cases that were not previously taken into account, were included in the national statistics.
As a result, this led to misinterpretation of the figures.
Third.Currently, there are about 48 874 cases of COVID-19 in Kazakhstan (07.07.2020), including 25 021 – with symptoms, 23 553 – asymptomatic, 1403 cases per day. The increase is about3.0%.
Cured – 24,990 patients (51.1%, thus more than half recovered). Continue receiving treatment – 23,324 patients. Passed away– 260.
In June, the rate of virus replication in Kazakhstan was 1.3. Over the last few weeks, there is a decrease in this indicator in dynamics to 1.05.
In total, there are 11.5 million infected people registered globally. Mortality rate is 4.6%(536 thousand people). Incidence rate in the United States is 2.9 million people, 681.2 thousand people in Russia, 48.8 thousand people in Kazakhstan.
Mortality rate in the USA is 4.4%, 1.5% in Russia, and 0.5% in Kazakhstan. According to COVID-19 map of Johns Hopkins University, Kazakhstan ranks 35th by confirmed cases.
Fourth.Kazakhstan consistently carries out a mass testing programme.
In total, 1,631,817 COVID-19 laboratory tests were conducted (8746 per 100 thousand people), with the following results: 48,874 tested positive, 1,582,943 tested negative.
According to worldometers.info, today Kazakhstan ranks 19th in the world in terms of population testing, countryranks 54th in terms of the number of infected per 1 million people and ranks 113th in mortality. The difference in these indicators shows the effectiveness of measures taken in the country.
Thus, international statistics demonstrate the continued moderate dynamics of the epidemiological situation in Kazakhstan.
Note:quarantine in Kazakhstan will last between July 5-19.
The restrictions include ban on holding mass gatherings, as well as family events and memorials. The beauty salons, hairdressers, gyms, fitness centers, pools, indoor markets, beaches, water parks, culture facilities, entertainment centers, religious facilities, cinemas, kindergartens, children health camps and other institutions also suspended their activities.
At least 80% of employees of public institutions, offices, national companies and other organizations continue remote working.
It has been also decided to limit the movement of people to walking in groups of three or less. The medical centers, pharmacies, grocery stores, open markets will continue operating during this period.
Open air restaurants, construction and industrial plants with a continuous production cycle, open air agricultural and construction works will continue to operate under enhanced sanitary and disinfection measures.
The auto service and appliance maintenance will also continue in operation.
International air traffic will continue without further expansion of the list of countries. At the same time, domestic air flights and trains will be limited. The interregional bus services and city buses are suspended for the period of the quarantine.